Police have seized more than 178,000 illegal guns in a crackdown on weapons and explosives, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday.

"From June 2 through September 30, the police destroyed 194 illegal gun factories and shops and ordered the closure of 482 factories and shops that illegally produced or sold explosives for civilian use," said the ministry.

In the first eight months, explosion and gun violence cases dropped by 18.1 percent and 12.2 percent respectively compared with the same period of last year, according to the ministry.

The ministry launched a four-month crackdown, starting in June, on explosives, guns, ammunition and forbidden knives.

The police also seized 3,900 tons of explosives, 7.772 million detonators, 4.837 million meters of fuse, 178,000 firearms, 638,000 replica firearms, 4.749 million bullets and 2.065 million forbidden knives.

About 46,000 safety risks were identified in explosive factories or storehouses, of which 37,000 were subject to rectification notices, while759 factories and storehouses had their licenses revoked.

The ministry said people have been very supportive of the campaign. About 63.2 percent of the 178,000 firearms seized were turned in voluntarily. The police also received 22,401 tip-offs about crimes involving firearms, explosives and knives, which helped the police resolve 6,750 cases.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2006)